Procedure Descriptions
Abdominoplasty
ACL Reconstruction
Blepharoplasty
Breast Augmentation
Breast Lift
Carpal Tunnel Surgery
Cataract Surgery
Ganglion Cyst Removal
Knee Arthroscopy
Liposuction
Lumbar Steroid Injections
Rhinoplasty
Rotator Cuff Repair
Shoulder Arthroscopy
Shoulder Arthroscopy Decompression
Trigger Finger
Lumbar Steroid Injections
An abdominoplasty (a tummy tuck) is the surgical removal of excess skin or fatty deposits from the abdomen, along with the repositioning of abdomen muscles into a tighter formation.
Abdominoplasty surgery lasts about 3 hours, depending on the desired look and the patient’s unique physiology. To begin the procedure, an incision is made just above the pubic bone area. This incision goes horizontally across the lower abdomen. The skin is then stretched away from the muscle tissue, and excess skin is removed. The abdomen muscle tissue is tightened to provide a firmly contoured stomach and well-defined waistline. Finally, the incision is closed; and the skin is stitched back into place. Sometimes the procedure requires an additional incision around the navel in order to provide the best results.
ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) Reconstruction is surgery to replace the torn ligament with an autograft (tissue from the patient's own body) or an allograft (tissue from a cadaver). The most common autografts use part of the patellar tendon (the tendon in the front of the knee) or use the hamstring tendons. Each type of graft has small advantages and disadvantages, and work well for many people.
The procedure is usually performed by knee arthroscopy. The surgeon will replace the ACL. Additional small incisions are made around the knee to place the new ligament. The old ligament will be removed using a shaver or other instruments. Bone tunnels will be made to place the new ligament in the knee at the site of the old ACL. If the patient's own tissue is to be used for the new ligament, a larger, "open" incision will be made to take the tissue. The new ligament is then fixed to the bone using screws or other devices to hold the ligament in place.
Eyelid surgery (known as blepharoplasty) is a corrective procedure that can reduce dark circles or "bags" under the eyes, remove excess wrinkles, and provide a more youthful appearance to the eyes.
The surgical procedure includes tiny incisions made in the natural contours around the eyes. The surgeon will usually work on the upper eyelids first to remove any fatty tissue and tighten loose skin. Lower eyelids are completed next to eliminate puffiness and reduce dark circles. The surgery generally takes about one to three hours.
Breast Augmentation, also known as mammoplasty, is a surgical enhancement procedure to accentuate the size and shape of a woman's breasts. While breast augmentation will make the breasts larger, the surgery will not move the breasts closer together or lift sagging breasts.
Breast augmentation involves making a small incision to insert a breast implant into the breast area in order to enlarge the breast. The surgery is performed while the patient is under general anesthesia and asleep. There are several possible locations for the small incision that will be used for inserting the breast implant. The most frequent technique utilizes an incision made in the axilla (or armpit). Another technique, involves making an incision in the lower portion of the breast. A third technique makes an incision around the areola (the darker skin surrounding the nipple). The best technique will be decided together between the patient and the surgeon during the consultation.
During surgery, the breast tissue is raised to create an open pocket under the breast tissue or beneath the chest wall muscle. Inserting an implant behind each breast can increase a woman's breast size by one or more bra cup sizes. Implants either contain a saline solution (similar to saltwater) or contain a silicone gel. Surgery typically lasts 1 hour.
A breast lift, also known as a mastopexy, is a procedure to raise and reshape sagging breasts.
The breast lift surgical procedure usually takes one and a half to three hours. Techniques vary, but the most common procedure involves an anchor-like incision along the underside of the breast. The incision goes around the area where skin will be removed, thus defining how the nipple will be relocated. When the excess skin has been removed, the nipple and areola are moved into a higher position. The skin surrounding the areola is brought down and together to reshape the breast.
Carpal Tunnel Surgery
Carpal Tunnel Surgery (endoscopic surgery) involves a small incision over the palm of the hand through which a surgeon will insert a small tube with a light and camera. Using that tool they will cut the transverse carpal ligament to releases pressure on the median nerve,
The surgeon will then usually close the skin and subcutaneous tissues over only the carpal ligament, leaving the carpal tunnel uncovered. Some surgeons reattach the carpal ligament after lengthening it. Some surgeons will remove tissue surrounding the nerve, especially if the tissue is swollen or irritated. This is often found in arthritis patients.
Cataract Surgery or Cataract Removal is a procedure to remove a clouded lens from the eyes to improve vision. This procedure often includes the implantation of an artificial lens.
With the help of a microscope, the surgeon will make a small incision at the junction of the clear and white outer parts of the eye. Depending on the type of cataract, the lens may be removed with suction and surgical instruments or with suction and a machine that uses high frequency sound waves to break up the lens. An artificial lens is usually inserted to help the eye focus. The incision maybe closed with fine stitches or it may be self sealing.
Ganglion cysts are fluid filled masses, which arise off of joints or tendons of the hand and wrist. They typically arise from the back of the wrist, palm side of the wrist or in the palm near where the fingers start. They are benign or non-cancerous lesions, which tend to arise in areas of weakness in the joint or tendon.
For a cyst, a needle and syringe are used to drain fluid. If the cystic fluid is clear or green in color, not bloody, and the cyst disappears completely when drained, nothing further needs to be done. If the fluid is bloody, it is sent to the laboratory for analysis. If there is still a lump after the cyst fluid is drained, or if the lump disappears but returns later, it is typically surgically removed.
A Knee Arthroscopy is performed through small incisions in the skin, using an arthroscope, a narrow telescope attached to a video camera. During the procedure, the surgeon also can insert surgical instruments through other small incisions in your knee to remove or repair damaged tissues. Compared with open surgery, which involves a larger incision, arthroscopy is less painful, carries less risk of infection, and enables people to recover more quickly.
Liposuction (or lipoplasty) is a body-sculpting procedure to remove fat that is unresponsive to dieting and exercising. This procedure can be applied to nearly any area of the body and is commonly used on multiple areas during an operation. Liposuction is not a replacement for proper exercise and diet. Instead, liposuction is a reduction procedure for stubborn areas where fat accumulates.
Liposuction is done under general anesthesia with the patient asleep. Through a tiny incision, a narrow tube or "cannula" is inserted and used to vacuum out the fatty tissue beneath the skin. The surgeon determines the amount of fat to be removed by massaging the skin and squeezing the tissue. After eliminating the excess fat, the incisions are closed with a suture and by applying a compression dressing or bandage to the area in order to prevent bleeding, reduce swelling, and support the affected area.
There are several different types of liposuction procedures, such as tumescent or ultrasound liposuction, that have developed as a result of recent advancements in new technologies. Together the patient and the surgeon can discuss which method(s) are best during the initial consultation visit. Liposuction can last from thirty minutes to several hours depending upon the amount of fat to be removed. Liposuction surgery is an excellent procedure that can benefit those who want to remove unattractive fatty deposits.
Lumbar Steroid Injection is a procedure that can help relieve low back and leg pain by reducing swelling and irritation. An injection also can help your doctor diagnose the source of your pain.
Nose surgery (Rhinoplasty) is a procedure to reshape the nose in order to create a more pleasing look. Rhinoplasty usually involves reducing the size of the nose by removing and sculpting the nasal tissues in order to enhance the facial appearance. The rhinoplasty procedure lasts from one to three hours. The surgeon will utilize general anesthesia.
To begin the surgery, tiny incisions are made which allow the surgeon to access the underlying nasal structure. Once the skin is opened, the cartilage and bone are reshaped to form the basis for the new look. Two basic methods are utilized for performing nose surgery. These methods are referred to as the 'open' and the 'closed' techniques. The open technique allows for maximum visibility and control over the procedure. The incision used in the open technique is placed in-between the nostrils on the columella (the medial nostril strip). In the closed technique, the incisions are internal and heal faster; however, there is less surgical control over the outcome. The physician can discuss which technique is best when the patient arrives for the initial consultation visit.
Rotator Cuff Repair is an arthroscopic procedure, in which the surgeon places an arthroscope in the space above the rotator cuff tendons. The surgeon can evaluate the area above the rotator cuff, clean out inflamed or damaged tissue, and remove a bone spur.
If a tear is going to be fixed, the surgeon may perform the surgery with a larger, open incision, while other surgeons use the arthroscope and 1-3 additional small smaller incisions. The goal is to attach the tendon back to the bone where it tore off. The tendon is attached with sutures. Small rivets (called suture anchors) are often used to help attach the tendon to the bone. The suture anchors can be made of metal or plastic, and do not need to be removed.
Shoulder arthroscopy is a type of surgery to examine or repair the tissues inside or around your shoulder joint. Shoulder Arthroscopy is performed through small incisions in the skin, using a narrow telescope (arthroscope) attached to a video camera. If the doctor is going to repair the joint, small surgical instruments are also used. A nerve block may be used to numb the shoulder and arm to help reduce pain after surgery.
Shoulder Arthroscopy Decompression
Patients with impingement syndrome that is not cured with conservative treatments may consider a procedure called an arthroscopic subacromial decompression. This procedure removes the inflamed bursa and some bone from the irritated area around the rotator cuff tendons. By removing this tissue, more space is created for the tendons and the inflammation often subsides.
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Trigger finger is an inflammation of the tissue inside your finger or thumb. Tendons (cordlike fibers that attach muscle to bone and allow you to bend the joints) become swollen. The synovium (a slick membrane that allows the tendons to move easily) also becomes swollen. This makes it difficult to straighten the finger or thumb.
In surgery the surgeon opens and enlarges the sheath that surrounds the tendon to release the swollen tendon. This allows the finger to bend and straighten normally again.
Lumbar Steroid Injection is a procedure that can help relieve low back and leg pain by reducing swelling and irritation. An injection also can help your doctor diagnose the source of your pain.